Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1887-04-01
A WISE DECISION.
How Phil sheridan Obtained His West
Point Appointment


Point Appointment.
1t is a well-known fact that General
Sheridan's parents were people in very
humble circumstances, and that his
father had hard struggle to support
and educate his large family. And it
was necessary for the boys early in life
to seek employment in order that they
might support themselves and assist
their father as much as possible. They
were all unusually bright and indus
trious, and were not only willing but
anxious to do all they could.
At the time of which we write the
Lancaster (Ohio) Congressional dist
riot. in which old Mr.. Sheridan and his
family reside. was represented by
Democrat. This member was entitled
to the appointment of cadet at the
West Point Military Academy, as were
all other members under the law. Be-
fore he had made selection, however,
two of his constituents, both friends of
his, very wealthy, each concluded that
he would like to have his son receive
the appointment, and accordingly each
started out among his friends in the
district to obtain recommendations to
the member of Congress for the appoint
ment of his son. The men were both
well liked, and, as q consequence,
through their determined efforts, almost
all of the people in the district had
taken sides, and the Congressman was
pressed upon all sides to appoint one
or the other. He was in dilemma; to
appoint either would bring the enmity
Of the other and all his friends He
concluded he would advise with
Thomas Ewing, who was then Sena-
tor and resided in the town of Lancas-
ter. Accordingly he went to the Sena-
tors house and explained the situation
to him. After thinking the matter
eff | were in your place would not
appoint either of these boys. l would
select some poor mans son and send
him; each of these men and his friends
would be glad that you did not appoint
the others son, and the whole peo-
pie of the district would applaud
you for sending poor boy" That's
a capital idear' remarked the now de-
lighted member, as he saw way out of
the difficulty; "but where is there boy
| can sendP" just then old Mr. Sher-
idan, who was employed by Senator
Ewing, walked into the dining-room
where the two were sitting, with some
stove wood in his arms. "There," said
the Senator, sis Sheridan; he has some
bright boys, and you couldn't do better
than to send one of them" In the
meantime Sheridan had deposited his
wood in the box behind the stove and
was going out Of the room. SHERIDAN"
said the Senator, chow would you like to
have one of your boys go to West
PointP' 81 don't know, SIR" replied
Sheridan; II never thought of that, and
you know better about it than do. |
would leave it all to you, sir" "Well,"
said the Senator, "if either was to be
sent, which would you prefer to have
go?" 81 don't know about that either,
sir. If its for books you want him,
you had better send Mike; but if it's for
fighting you want him, you had better
send Phil" and Sheridan went his way.
There" said the Senator to the Con
gresham, "there's your chance It's
for fighting You want him., now send
Phil Sheridan" and he did Chicago
Inter Ocean.